Frederick Hall
Barnardo's 1894
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The Toronto Daily Star dated Saturday April 18 1896
In 1894, Frederick Hall, 12, arrived at Quebec, Canada, in a group of 86 Barnardo children en route to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo from www.britishhomechildren.org |
Arthur John Monk
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Arthur contacted Barnardo's After Care department several years ago to find out more about his earlier life and see his records. In August 2001, social worker Beverly McKenzie-Gayle from After Care's migration team, met up with him at the reunion meeting in Stratford, Ontario. As a result, two relatives of his in Britain were traced, one who agreed to act as sponsor - so that the migrant found would pay for his journey home. Arthur said that his visit to England was "very important and extremely worthwhile" - especially being able to visit his mother's grave side on Canadian Mother's Day. Barnardo's social worker Stephen Ross helped organised Arthur's important journey home - picking him up and his nephew up from the airport and taking them to various places, including a family reunion at Eastbourne in Sussex. Barnardo's also arranged for Arthur to spend a day at Barkingside where he was pictured above with his nephew. He met with staff from After Care as well as the chief executive Roger Singleton. Surname: Monk Given Name: Arthur John Age: 11 Sex: M Ship: Megantic Year of Arrival: 1923 Departure Date: 1923-00-00 Arrival Port: Quebec Arrival Date: 1923-08-04 Party: Liverpool Sheltering Home Destination: Belleville, Ontario Comments: 48 boys and girls Source: Library and Archives Canada Reference: RG 76 B 1 a Microfilm: C-4733 Type of Record: Other Government of Canada records |
Leslie Hunt
Leslie Hunt was sent to Canada by the Liverpool Sheltering Home in 1920, aged only 10 years. He has always thought of himself as a Barnardo's boy though, because in 1925, Barnardo's took over the role of supporting him when the LSH organisation closed down.
Leslie travelled many miles from his home in Toronto to meet Kate (After Care working visiting Canada from Barnardo's in England) at his son's house. With his grand daughter Kimberley, who is working on the history of the family, he related fascinating stories of his many and varied life experiences, including his distinguished service in the Second World War.
Bother Thomas (Spencer - father of Ivy Sucee) and Leslie spoke of their regrets at not receiving a better education but neither of them has allowed that to hold them back. Indeed Leslie resolved many years ago that he would learn a new fact every day and keeps to this even now with only occasional lapses!
-from the 2002 Barnardo's Guild Magazine
Leslie travelled many miles from his home in Toronto to meet Kate (After Care working visiting Canada from Barnardo's in England) at his son's house. With his grand daughter Kimberley, who is working on the history of the family, he related fascinating stories of his many and varied life experiences, including his distinguished service in the Second World War.
Bother Thomas (Spencer - father of Ivy Sucee) and Leslie spoke of their regrets at not receiving a better education but neither of them has allowed that to hold them back. Indeed Leslie resolved many years ago that he would learn a new fact every day and keeps to this even now with only occasional lapses!
-from the 2002 Barnardo's Guild Magazine
Ada F Hollis
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Published in the Toronto Daily Star Saturday September 8 1906 Ada was the daughter of William Hollis and Jean Pendecrast. She arrived in Canada October 6 1902 brought by the Dr. Barnardo Homes. Ada married married Constant R Olivean in Toronto, York, Ontario on 10 October 1911. Immigration Record Surname:HOLLIS Given Name:Ada F. Age:14Sex:F Ship:Colonian Year of Arrival:1902 Departure Port:Liverpoo Departure Date:1902-09-25 Arrival Port:Portland Arrival Date:1902-10-06 Party:Barnardo Homes Destination:Peterborough, Ontario Comments:A party of 125 girls, this record found on film #C-4715 at the Library and Archives Canada Source:Library and Archives Canada Reference:RG 76, Vol. 51, File 2209, part 1, Documents from Immigration Branch, Central Registry Files Type of Record:Other Government of Canada records 
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Bertha Joy
Bertha arrived in Canada on October 2 1903 brought by the Dr. Barnardo Homes. She was taken to the Hazel Brae Barnardo Home in Peterborough, Ontario. Her name is inscribed on the Hazel Brae Barnardo Home Memorial there.
Noted is a copy of the Ups and Downs Magazine Bertha Joy,we think this is a very sweet little picture of Bertha, and are glad to hear that she is getting on well with Miss Maude Stanley of Colborne. |
On the 1911 Canadian Census Bertha is found (note: name is transcribed wrong as Bertha Jay) working as a servant for Bert and Lewis Math. Surname:JOY Given Name:Bertha Age:10 Sex:F Ship:Dominion Year of Arrival:1903 Departure Port:Liverpool Departure Date:1903-09-23 Arrival Port:Quebec Arrival Date:1903-10-02 Party:Barnardo Homes Destination:Peterborough, Ontario Source:Library and Archives CanadaReference:RG 76 C1aMicrofilm:T-482Type of Record:Passenger Lists |
Lizzie Farrell & Annie Ware
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From the Ups and Downs Magazine
Lizzie Farrell and Annie Ware. This is a very interesting little group - the two girls, who were foster sisters, with Mrs. Manary's baby. Lizzie is still with Mrs. Edward Manary, of Bracebridge and is getting along very nicely, but Annie Ware, who is sitting down in the picture, has been transferred to Mrs. Geo. Thompson of Germania, and, we are glad to hear, is doing well. 
Annie Ware was brought to Canada by the Dr. Barnardo Homes in 1904. She arrived aboard the Southwark on October 9 1904. Annie was taken to the Hazel Brae Home in Peterborough. Her name appears on the Hazel Brae Barnardo Home Memorial erected in Peterborough, Ontario 2011.
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Maud Brown
From the Ups and Downs Barnardo Magazine, May 1910
Maud Brown is much liked and is treated as a daughter by Mrs. Nathan Duxbury. She is an economical girl and has quite a nice little bank account. We hear that Maud is very fond of music and hopes to be able to purchase for herself a little American organ. We hope she will derive much pleasure and benefit from so doing.
On the 1911 Census for Canada, Maud is found living with the family of Nathan Duxbury and his wife Lucy Jane Duxbury. Maud gives her birth date as January 1894. They are living in the district of Grey North, Ontario. Maud had come to Canada in 1906 brought by the Dr. Barnardo Homes. She would be taken to the Hazel Brae Home in Peterborough, Ontario.
Maud was the daughter of George Brown and Sarah Willes. On June 3 1914 in Grey County, Ontario she married Henry F Lobben. He was born in Scotland and was the son of George Lobben and Jesse Walker.
Maud Brown is much liked and is treated as a daughter by Mrs. Nathan Duxbury. She is an economical girl and has quite a nice little bank account. We hear that Maud is very fond of music and hopes to be able to purchase for herself a little American organ. We hope she will derive much pleasure and benefit from so doing.
On the 1911 Census for Canada, Maud is found living with the family of Nathan Duxbury and his wife Lucy Jane Duxbury. Maud gives her birth date as January 1894. They are living in the district of Grey North, Ontario. Maud had come to Canada in 1906 brought by the Dr. Barnardo Homes. She would be taken to the Hazel Brae Home in Peterborough, Ontario.
Maud was the daughter of George Brown and Sarah Willes. On June 3 1914 in Grey County, Ontario she married Henry F Lobben. He was born in Scotland and was the son of George Lobben and Jesse Walker.
Maud's name as it appears on the Hazel Brae Barnardo Home Memorial in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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Given Name:Maud
Age:12 Sex:F Ship:Friesland Year of Arrival:1906 Departure Port:Liverpool lDeparture Date:1906-04-18 Arrival Port:Philadelphia Arrival Date:1906-04-30 Party:Barnardo Homes Destination:Peterborough, Ontario Comments:Party of girls to Peterborough Source:Library and Archives Canada Reference:RG 76 C1fMicrofilm:T-513 Type of Record:Passenger Lists |
Mary M Pilley
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Photo at left, Mary as pictured in the 1910 Barnardo Magazine Ups and Downs. Mary was brought to Canada by the Dr. Barnardo Homes and taken to the Hazel Brae Barnardo Home in Peterborough. She arrived on May 31 1908 aboard the Dominion. 
Mary's name as it appears on the Hazel Brae Barnardo Home Memorial erected in Peterborough, Ontario in 2011.
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Earnest Robert Schacht (Sharpe)
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Immigration Record Surname:SCHACHT Given Name:Ernest RobertAge:18 Sex:M Ship:Saxonia Year of Arrival:1921 Departure Port:London Departure Date:1921-04-09 Arrival Port:Halifax Arrival Date:1921-04-18 Destination:Various locations Comments: Labourers & Domestics Notes:The child's surname was illegible or difficult to decipher Source:Library and Archives Canada Reference:RG 76 C1bMicrofilm:T-14800Type of Record:Passenger Lists If you have any information on Earnest or are a relative please contact his Great Niece Stella Wilson at Stella_Wilson@tiscali.co.uk Please note: all Ernest’s siblings here in Uk seem to having changed their name from the Germanic Schacht to Sharpe |
Douglas Smelt
Photo from Barnardo Guild Magazine 2002
no details of Douglas's life was given |
Surname:SMELTGiven Name:DouglasAge:13Sex:MShip:Duchess of BedfordYear of Arrival:1930Departure Port:LiverpoolDeparture Date:1930-09-19Arrival Port:QuebecArrival Date:1930-09-26Party:Barnardo HomesDestination:Mr. J. W. Hobday, 538 Jarvis Street, Toronto, OntarioNotes:Vol. 21, p. 204Source:Library and Archives CanadaReference:RG 76 C1aMicrofilm:T-14769Type of Record:Passenger Lists Oh his immigration record the next of kin given was Grandmother-Mrs A Smelt, 1 Spring Gardens, Hawthorn Avenue, Hessle Road, Hull |
Walter Camp
Walter Camp arrived in Canada
1887-03-28 aboard the
Parisian. He was brought here by the Dr. Barnardo Homes and was taken to Toronto. He was said to have been 10 years old at this time. Also aboard this ship was a Samuel Camp 13 years old (he went to Hazel Brae in Peterborough) and a Walker Camp, also 10 years old.
Surname:CAMP
Given Name:
Walter
Age:10
Sex:M
Ship:Parisian
Year of Arrival:1887
Departure Port:Liverpool
Departure Date:1887-03-17
Arrival Port:Halifax
Arrival Date:1887-03-28
Party:Barnardo Homes
Destination:Toronto, Ontario
Comments:209 boys, see also General Correspondence Files RG 17, Vol. 550, File 61591.5Source:Library and Archives CanadaReference:RG 76 C1bMicrofilm:C-4513Type of Record:Passenger Lists
Surname:CAMP
Given Name:
Walter
Age:10
Sex:M
Ship:Parisian
Year of Arrival:1887
Departure Port:Liverpool
Departure Date:1887-03-17
Arrival Port:Halifax
Arrival Date:1887-03-28
Party:Barnardo Homes
Destination:Toronto, Ontario
Comments:209 boys, see also General Correspondence Files RG 17, Vol. 550, File 61591.5Source:Library and Archives CanadaReference:RG 76 C1bMicrofilm:C-4513Type of Record:Passenger Lists
John Arthur Clark
John ArthurAge:10Sex:MShip:MinnedosaYear of Arrival:1923Departure Port:SouthamptonDeparture Date:1923-09-13Arrival Port:QuebecArrival Date:1923-09-21Party:Barnardo HomesDestination:Toronto and Peterborough, OntarioComments:Third party of Barnardo children in 1923, 86 boys to Toronto and 48 girls to PeterboroughSource:Library and Archives CanadaReference:RG 76 B 1 aMicrofilm:C-4716Type of Record:Other Government of Canada records
On 21 September 1923, John Arthur Clark, 10, arrived in Canada, he was going to Mr J W Hobday, 538 Jarvis St, Toronto, Ontario, his next of kin was his father-William Clark, 18 Vera Road, Clydach on Tawe, nr Swansea, South Wales, he gave his birthplace as London.
On 21 September 1923, John Arthur Clark, 10, arrived in Canada, he was going to Mr J W Hobday, 538 Jarvis St, Toronto, Ontario, his next of kin was his father-William Clark, 18 Vera Road, Clydach on Tawe, nr Swansea, South Wales, he gave his birthplace as London.
Leslie James Alexander
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and this could be the fellow with Smith with appendicitis: 1911 Census of Canada
Name:Thomas C Wicken Age:19 Birth Date:Mar 1891 England Relation to Head of House:Lodger Immigration Year:1905 District:Dufferin Orangeville, Wellington St James M Smith63 Elizabeth Smith56 Charles J Smith30 **Thomas C Wicken19 |
John (Leslie) CoombsThe Barnardo guild Messenger Summer 2002
John Coombs (known as Leslie Coombs) died on April 3 2002 aged 94 years. Leslie was migrated to Canada when he was 14 on the SS Montrose. He lived in the Bowmanville area all his life and had a mixed farm. He had five sons, one daughter and many grandchildren. |
Surname: COOMBS Given Name: J C L Age: 14 Sex: M Ship: Montrose Year of Arrival: 1922 Departure Port: Liverpool Departure Date: 1922-06-30 Arrival Port: Quebec Arrival Date: 1922-07-07 Party: Annie Macpherson Homes Destination: Belleville, Ontario Comments: Mixed party of 100 Source: Library and Archives Canada Reference: RG 76 Vol 64 File 3081 Part 3, Documents from Immigration Branch, Central Registry Files, See also Immigration Form 30A for Robina Basnett Microfilm: C-4732 Type of Record: Other Government of Canada records |
Joseph Bowles
Document dated December 12 1892
Joseph Bowles was brought to Canada in 1890 by the Dr. Barnardo Homes in England. He departed on the Circassian on June 191890 from Liverpool and arrived in Quebec on June 30 1890. He was part of a pary of 141 children.
Comments on his immigration record:Sailed via Londonderry, 20th. Party of 141; 11 to Manitoba, 130 to Ontario. Charles WORTHINGTON age 13 left behind at Quebec to be returned - sore hand. J W HUTTLEWORTH, a male age 19 was taken to Jeffery Hale hospital.
On the 1891 Census for Manitoba, Joseph is found working for the family of Eustact and Christy Power as a domestic in Marquette, Manitoba, Canada The Power's had two children at this time, Ellie three years old and Catherine, one year old.
In 1892 Joseph was sent to work on the farm of Alfred William Jolly of Manitoba. His work term was to be a year, at the end of which his he was to have been paid $60.
In 1911 Joseph is found living on his own farm in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. The census states he is single. There is a death record found for Joseph Bowles in the Manitoba Vita Statistics. He died on October 24, 1911. There is no spouse noted.
Joseph Bowles was brought to Canada in 1890 by the Dr. Barnardo Homes in England. He departed on the Circassian on June 191890 from Liverpool and arrived in Quebec on June 30 1890. He was part of a pary of 141 children.
Comments on his immigration record:Sailed via Londonderry, 20th. Party of 141; 11 to Manitoba, 130 to Ontario. Charles WORTHINGTON age 13 left behind at Quebec to be returned - sore hand. J W HUTTLEWORTH, a male age 19 was taken to Jeffery Hale hospital.
On the 1891 Census for Manitoba, Joseph is found working for the family of Eustact and Christy Power as a domestic in Marquette, Manitoba, Canada The Power's had two children at this time, Ellie three years old and Catherine, one year old.
In 1892 Joseph was sent to work on the farm of Alfred William Jolly of Manitoba. His work term was to be a year, at the end of which his he was to have been paid $60.
In 1911 Joseph is found living on his own farm in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. The census states he is single. There is a death record found for Joseph Bowles in the Manitoba Vita Statistics. He died on October 24, 1911. There is no spouse noted.
Oliver Cox
The Montrel Gazette
April 28, 1911
"CHARGED WITH ARSON
Barnardo Boy Accused of Destroying Barns
London, Ont., April 27.--Oliver Cox, aged 19 eyars, of Middlemiss, Ekfrid township, was arrested yesterday afternoon by High Constable Hughes for arson. He is charged with the burning of the barns, implements and livestock of Frank O'Neil with whom he lived.
The fire occurred on Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock while Mr. O'Neil was away from home and only Cox and Mrs. O'Neil were left on the farm. One horse, three cows, two calves, five pigs and a large quantity of hay were in the two barns, which adjoined each other. The fire was well under way before it was discovered. There was no way of fighting it and it had to be let burn out [sic]. Cox was around the fire all the time.
When Mr. O'Neil returned home in the evening he was completely overcome by his loss, which will total $2,400. He could give no reason for the fire. He had no enemies. However, it is evident that he suspected Cox, for yesterday morning High Constable Hughes left for Middlemiss, armed with a warrant for Cox's arrest. He was to investigate the fire and if he thought that it was a case of arson to execute his warrant, which he did.
Cox appeared before Squire Chittick late yesterday afternoon and was remanded to jail for a week. He is a Barnardo boy and came out here six years ago. He had worked for Mr. O'Neil for some years."
April 28, 1911
"CHARGED WITH ARSON
Barnardo Boy Accused of Destroying Barns
London, Ont., April 27.--Oliver Cox, aged 19 eyars, of Middlemiss, Ekfrid township, was arrested yesterday afternoon by High Constable Hughes for arson. He is charged with the burning of the barns, implements and livestock of Frank O'Neil with whom he lived.
The fire occurred on Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock while Mr. O'Neil was away from home and only Cox and Mrs. O'Neil were left on the farm. One horse, three cows, two calves, five pigs and a large quantity of hay were in the two barns, which adjoined each other. The fire was well under way before it was discovered. There was no way of fighting it and it had to be let burn out [sic]. Cox was around the fire all the time.
When Mr. O'Neil returned home in the evening he was completely overcome by his loss, which will total $2,400. He could give no reason for the fire. He had no enemies. However, it is evident that he suspected Cox, for yesterday morning High Constable Hughes left for Middlemiss, armed with a warrant for Cox's arrest. He was to investigate the fire and if he thought that it was a case of arson to execute his warrant, which he did.
Cox appeared before Squire Chittick late yesterday afternoon and was remanded to jail for a week. He is a Barnardo boy and came out here six years ago. He had worked for Mr. O'Neil for some years."
Joseph Edwards
Joseph was brought to Canada aboard the Duchess of Canada in 1930. He was a ward of the Dr. Barnardo Homes.
Rose Kane
Credit Library and Archives Canada & British Home Children Descendants
In 1908, Rose Kane, 11, arrived at Quebec, Canada, along with a group of 109 girls en route to Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, and 219 boys en route to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, accompanied by Mr. Lloyd.
In 1911, Rose Kane, 14, was shown as a boarder in the home of Josiah and Sarah Cowan of 591 Bolivar, Peterboro, Ontario, Canada. Her date of birth is shown as May and her immigration year is not shown.
On May 5, c. 1914, an Inspection of British Immigrant Children was completed on Rose Kane (No. 7750). Information stated was that she had immigrated in 1908; that she was 17 years old; that she had originally been in the South Shields home; that she had been brought to Canada by Barnardos; that she was currently placed with Mr. and Mrs. George Longmuir, a farmer and his wife; that her current residence was Hastings RR2, Lot 4, Con 11, Seymour, Peterboro, Ontario, Canada. Her character was stated as being very good; that she had been with this placement for one year since November last; that she was engaged in housework; that she was in very good health; that she had a good supply of clothes; that she went to Sunday school and church regularly; that she did not attend day school; that she was a very good girl; that neither she nor her employer had any complaints; that she was content and very comfortable; and that the terms of her indenture were Board plus $86 per month / cost of clothing deducted / balance is banked in girl's favor.
On December 24, 1919, at Chatham, Essex, Ontario, Canada, a marriage was registered between Rose Elizabeth Kane, 21, housekeeper, born in England to unknown parents (George Cowan, guardian); and John Leonard Boycott, 21, machinist, born in Chester, England, to John R Boycott and Louisa Sophia Oakley.
In June 1923, Rose E. Boycott, 23, and her two children: John William Boycott, 2 months; and Margaret Boycott, 1, entered the United States through the Port of Detroit, Michigan. She declared that she had no occupation; that she would be returning to Canada; that they resided in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; that her next of kin was her father-in-law, John Boycott, who resided at 160 Cameron Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, Canada; that her husband paid her passage; that she would be staying in a room at 13935 Washburn Avenue, Detroit, Michigan; and that she was born in Essex, England.
In 1908, Rose Kane, 11, arrived at Quebec, Canada, along with a group of 109 girls en route to Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, and 219 boys en route to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, accompanied by Mr. Lloyd.
In 1911, Rose Kane, 14, was shown as a boarder in the home of Josiah and Sarah Cowan of 591 Bolivar, Peterboro, Ontario, Canada. Her date of birth is shown as May and her immigration year is not shown.
On May 5, c. 1914, an Inspection of British Immigrant Children was completed on Rose Kane (No. 7750). Information stated was that she had immigrated in 1908; that she was 17 years old; that she had originally been in the South Shields home; that she had been brought to Canada by Barnardos; that she was currently placed with Mr. and Mrs. George Longmuir, a farmer and his wife; that her current residence was Hastings RR2, Lot 4, Con 11, Seymour, Peterboro, Ontario, Canada. Her character was stated as being very good; that she had been with this placement for one year since November last; that she was engaged in housework; that she was in very good health; that she had a good supply of clothes; that she went to Sunday school and church regularly; that she did not attend day school; that she was a very good girl; that neither she nor her employer had any complaints; that she was content and very comfortable; and that the terms of her indenture were Board plus $86 per month / cost of clothing deducted / balance is banked in girl's favor.
On December 24, 1919, at Chatham, Essex, Ontario, Canada, a marriage was registered between Rose Elizabeth Kane, 21, housekeeper, born in England to unknown parents (George Cowan, guardian); and John Leonard Boycott, 21, machinist, born in Chester, England, to John R Boycott and Louisa Sophia Oakley.
In June 1923, Rose E. Boycott, 23, and her two children: John William Boycott, 2 months; and Margaret Boycott, 1, entered the United States through the Port of Detroit, Michigan. She declared that she had no occupation; that she would be returning to Canada; that they resided in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; that her next of kin was her father-in-law, John Boycott, who resided at 160 Cameron Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, Canada; that her husband paid her passage; that she would be staying in a room at 13935 Washburn Avenue, Detroit, Michigan; and that she was born in Essex, England.
John E Sanders
The [Toronto] Globe, Wednesday, November 14, 1894
A Sensation Exploded.
An Immigrant Boy Disappears in the County of Wellington, but is Found Safe and Sound at Hespeler.
Arthur, Nov. 12.–(Special.)–Considerable surprise and not a little curiosity was aroused in this vicinity a couple of days ago by the appearance in a local weekly of a paragraph to the effect that a young English lad from one of the immigration homes, who had been indentured to a farmer of Luther Township, had mysteriously disappeared some months ago, and that recently portions of a human body had been found in a rubbish heap on the farm burnt and charred beyond possibility of identification. The surprise was caused by the absence of any previous knowledge of the “horrible tragedy” in the district, and the curiosity was to discover how, when, where and by what means, so remarkable a yarn came to be manufactured out of the whole cloth. The matter would not, however, have excited interest for more than a few hours but for the fact that a day or two later a Toronto paper reproduced the paragraph as a “special” from Guelph; and this being brought to the attention of Crown-Attorney Peterson, he caused some inquiry to be made, which quickly set the affair at rest. Your correspondent also took a hand in the investigation, and, as so much publicity has already been given to the story, the facts as briefly given below will be of interest.
About a year and a half ago Mr Thomas Waters, a farmer in comfortable circumstances, owning and working a 200-acre farm on the seventh concession of Luther, on the confines of the little hamlet of Damascus, about eight miles northeast from this town, procured a twelve-year-old lad named John E. Sanders from the Barnardo Home in Toronto. Mr Waters had previously had a boy from the same institution, but he ran away after being there a short time, and the management of the home were so throughly satisfied that the runaway had not been improperly treated that they sent young Sanders to take his place, without further expense to Mr Waters. According to Mr Waters’ own statement Sanders got along all right for a time, until about three or four months ago, when he seemed to get lazy and indifferent to his work, and finally, early in August, a serious misunderstanding arose between them over some ploughing, which the farmer claims to believe the boy was wilfully careless over, and the result was that Waters struck him a couple of times over the shoulder with the butt end of a whip he was carrying. Mr Waters declares that this was the first and only time he had laid a hand upon the lad, but it so angered Sanders that the next day he ran away to a neighbor’s, and only went back upon compulsion. The farmer, however, decided he would have nothing more to do with him and wrote to the home to that effect, and on August 24 he was returned to Toronto, under instruction from the superintendent.
To catch the train young Sanders had to leave Damascus very early in the morning, before most of the good people were up, and as no one saw him leave his subsequent non-appearance started the gossips, and in a short time the weird and blood-curdling narrative mentioned above was flying about the country. Thomas Bishop, the local constable, heard the rumors about a week after the boy left, and at once did the most sensible thing possible under the circumstances, vis., wrote to the home to inquire and in a few days got a reply to the effect that everything was all right. This he quickly made known among the neighbors, but the first story had got too good a start, and, though it was discredited in the immediate vicinity, and would long ere this have been forgotten. It continued to travel abroad, until, as stated above, it struck a Toronto newspaper office.
So much for the “disappearance,” but the story of the “burnt and charred remains” is not traceable to this source, and, inasmuch as there has not been a burnt heap of any description on the Waters farm this fall, it must be concluded that there was not for this picturesque addendum even the slight foundation that the rest of the story had.
A Sensation Exploded.
An Immigrant Boy Disappears in the County of Wellington, but is Found Safe and Sound at Hespeler.
Arthur, Nov. 12.–(Special.)–Considerable surprise and not a little curiosity was aroused in this vicinity a couple of days ago by the appearance in a local weekly of a paragraph to the effect that a young English lad from one of the immigration homes, who had been indentured to a farmer of Luther Township, had mysteriously disappeared some months ago, and that recently portions of a human body had been found in a rubbish heap on the farm burnt and charred beyond possibility of identification. The surprise was caused by the absence of any previous knowledge of the “horrible tragedy” in the district, and the curiosity was to discover how, when, where and by what means, so remarkable a yarn came to be manufactured out of the whole cloth. The matter would not, however, have excited interest for more than a few hours but for the fact that a day or two later a Toronto paper reproduced the paragraph as a “special” from Guelph; and this being brought to the attention of Crown-Attorney Peterson, he caused some inquiry to be made, which quickly set the affair at rest. Your correspondent also took a hand in the investigation, and, as so much publicity has already been given to the story, the facts as briefly given below will be of interest.
About a year and a half ago Mr Thomas Waters, a farmer in comfortable circumstances, owning and working a 200-acre farm on the seventh concession of Luther, on the confines of the little hamlet of Damascus, about eight miles northeast from this town, procured a twelve-year-old lad named John E. Sanders from the Barnardo Home in Toronto. Mr Waters had previously had a boy from the same institution, but he ran away after being there a short time, and the management of the home were so throughly satisfied that the runaway had not been improperly treated that they sent young Sanders to take his place, without further expense to Mr Waters. According to Mr Waters’ own statement Sanders got along all right for a time, until about three or four months ago, when he seemed to get lazy and indifferent to his work, and finally, early in August, a serious misunderstanding arose between them over some ploughing, which the farmer claims to believe the boy was wilfully careless over, and the result was that Waters struck him a couple of times over the shoulder with the butt end of a whip he was carrying. Mr Waters declares that this was the first and only time he had laid a hand upon the lad, but it so angered Sanders that the next day he ran away to a neighbor’s, and only went back upon compulsion. The farmer, however, decided he would have nothing more to do with him and wrote to the home to that effect, and on August 24 he was returned to Toronto, under instruction from the superintendent.
To catch the train young Sanders had to leave Damascus very early in the morning, before most of the good people were up, and as no one saw him leave his subsequent non-appearance started the gossips, and in a short time the weird and blood-curdling narrative mentioned above was flying about the country. Thomas Bishop, the local constable, heard the rumors about a week after the boy left, and at once did the most sensible thing possible under the circumstances, vis., wrote to the home to inquire and in a few days got a reply to the effect that everything was all right. This he quickly made known among the neighbors, but the first story had got too good a start, and, though it was discredited in the immediate vicinity, and would long ere this have been forgotten. It continued to travel abroad, until, as stated above, it struck a Toronto newspaper office.
So much for the “disappearance,” but the story of the “burnt and charred remains” is not traceable to this source, and, inasmuch as there has not been a burnt heap of any description on the Waters farm this fall, it must be concluded that there was not for this picturesque addendum even the slight foundation that the rest of the story had.
Jennie Smith
The Toronto Daily Star, Friday September 5 1902
Fred Freestone
The Toronto Daily Star, March 28 1907
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Surname:FREESTONE Given Name:Fred. H.J.Age:12 Sex:M Ship:Kensington Year of Arrival:1905 Departure Port:Liverpool Departure Date:1905-03-30 Arrival Port:Portland Arrival Date:1905-04-11 Party:Barnardo Homes Comments:The ship docked at Halifax, then Portland, where 269 boys disembarked. The original list was lost and a list prepared in 1934 appears on the reel. Source:Library and Archives Canada Reference:RG 76 C1bMicrofilm:T-499Type of Record:Passenger Lists |
Henry Modack
The Toronto Daily Star Saturday February 16 1901
Winnifred Payne
Tuesday, Sep 11, 1906 The Toronto Daily Star
Samuel Wardell
The Toronto Star
Saturday Jan 17, 1899
Saturday Jan 17, 1899
The Daily Telegraph in Saint John, New Brunswick
Aug. 29, 1887
In the Daily Telegraph in Saint John on Aug. 29, 1887 an article published about yet -another group of home children notes that 17 girls, ages of 10 and 20 had all been successfully “placed” in Albert and Kings counties, New Brunswick. “Seventeen Scotch girls whose ages range between 10 and 20 years were at the Bangor House yesterday. With the exception of five, they all came from Maryhill school near Glasgow where they have been trained as general domestics and educated to the fifth standard. Last eve they attended service in St. David’s Church, Saint John.” Further in the article it states: “Mrs. McKenzie of Nerepis was in town yesterday and took a little girl 10 years of age home with her last eve as an adopted daughter.”
The names given were: Maggie Wason, Maggie McCallum, Mary Logie, Mary B. Henderson, Minnie Logie, Mary Gillies, Katie Duffy, Robina Mitchell, Jessie Paul, Agnes Ross, Lizzie Mills, Agnes Stewart, Katie Reid, Maggie Gow, Agnes Francis and Jane Watson.
These girls arrived in Canada August 27 1887 aboard the Nova Scotian with Mrs. Cameron`s party. There was a group of 18 girls traveling together.
The names given were: Maggie Wason, Maggie McCallum, Mary Logie, Mary B. Henderson, Minnie Logie, Mary Gillies, Katie Duffy, Robina Mitchell, Jessie Paul, Agnes Ross, Lizzie Mills, Agnes Stewart, Katie Reid, Maggie Gow, Agnes Francis and Jane Watson.
These girls arrived in Canada August 27 1887 aboard the Nova Scotian with Mrs. Cameron`s party. There was a group of 18 girls traveling together.
